The history and development of the Carbon Fiber bicycle...

[innismor11]

2:42 I had one of those early (pre-Kestral all-carbon) bikes, one with carbon tubes glued into aluminum lugs. Built by Vitus under the Peugeot name (mine was), crica 1985. Following came my all-carbon Peugeot circa 1987. Memories. The advances since are significant, of course, no step bigger than Kestral's first all-carbon in 1986. Today, I enjoy soaking the sun on long rides with my Cervelo R3 soaking up all the bumps.

[neelonghunglow]

Great information!..Your presentation could have been better, however, I enjoyed it overall.

[1stPlaceDirector]

The first carbon fiber bike (w/ metal lugs) was the Exxon Graftek G-1, that was used by the 1976 Olympic team and later sold to the public. 

[spurcheck]

the first carbon firber bike was made by Peugeot

sorry

[thehouserocker]

The guys that started Kestrel actually worked at Graphite Technoligies who were makers of carbon fiber frames and then went on to form Aegis, so his argument of Kestrel being pioneers of carbon fiber frames is kind of a hard pill to swallow. If you look at the first bike slide, the "Kestrel 4000" it very much looks like a Graphite Technilogies frame that was used for the first Trek 5000 carbon frame, Profile,Basso, and many others.

[thehouserocker]

The guys that started Kestrel actually worked at Graphite Technoligies who were makers of carbon fiber frames and then went on to form Aegis, so his argument of Kestrel being pioneers of carbon fiber frames is kind of a hard pill to swallow. If you look at the first bike slide, the "Kestrel 4000" it very much looks like a Graphite Technilogies frame that was used for the first Trek 5000 carbon frame, Profile,Basso, and many others.

[billyposter]

what glue is used to stick the tubes together??

[Doversreturn]

no the technology to do that came out of he british area.

[timtak1]

It would be nice to be able to download the slides.

Kestrel bikes are inexpensive too. I thought that they must be an OEM bike maker - that just puts the bits together - from their prices, but in fact they lead the design of the things.

[1stPlaceDirector]

Carbon fiber bikes might have a lot of advantages but they don't seem to last near as long as a well built steel frame by a custom builder. It is common for a pro cyclist to break or crack their carbon frame at least 2 or 3 times per year. The frames also seem to have a fatigue factor making them lose their stiffness after a few years. It is also well known that your $2,500 frame will be toast in a big crash, unlike with many steel frames. If a steel frame gets damaged, its easy to replace tubes

[bikegirl2]

@1stPlaceDirector you are talking shit!

[1stPlaceDirector]

The Graftek Exxon was the first carbon fibre bicycle way back in 1975. They also made the first carbon fibre tennis rackets, golf clubs and fishing rods.

[GT1RR]

The Graftek was carbon tubes glued together using lugs on the end of the tubes. I think this guy's point about being first was that it was the first all carbon frame with no metal used to connect the tubes. That's my guess anyway.

[timtak1]

The Graftek carbon fiber tubes were actually an aluminum-carbon fiber hybrid.

[Thyhack]

lol I love when he gets to the slide where he is like idk why I even have this, it just looked really cool so i decided to add it. :P

[clheppermann]

Kestrel still makes great bikes. I've owned a kestrel talon for 6 years and it is a great ride and really soaks up the road.

[K6III]

Great video for composites students to watch for practical applications.

[circusboy90210]

nice commercial . does this make you the mercedes benz of the bicycle world??

[edudrepus]

I know this was one big commercial!